Barrancas National Cemetery: Difference between revisions

The area has been used as a burial ground since the construction of [[Fort Barrancas]]. In 1838 it was established as a [[United States Navy]] cemetery. During the [[American Civil War|Civil War]], Pensacola was hotly contested, as it was considered to be the best port for access to the [[Gulf of Mexico]]. Numerous soldiers on both sides were interred in the cemetery after falling in combat, or dying in nearby hospitals. After the war, in 1868, Barrancas was officially made a National Cemetery and many other nearby makeshift burial grounds were disinterred and relocated to Barrancas. In each year, 1944, 1950, 1986, and 1990, more area was transferred from NAS Pensacola to expand the facilities for the cemetery.